Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:41:54-2:42:34

Converting Ranger and Wasp into aviation support carriers

A support conversion could suit Ranger and eventually Wasp, while American use of forward island aviation bases offered another approach.

Aircraft CarriersHMS UnicornNaval AviationShip ConversionUSS Ranger (CV-4)USS Wasp (CV-7)
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Question

Could USS Ranger and USS Wasp be converted into support carriers like HMS Unicorn?

Short answer

Ranger could benefit after substantial work, and Wasp might fit the role later; American preference for forward island bases reduced the need for a specialised support carrier.

Notes

Wasp is considered useful without conversion, with an aviation-support role becoming more attractive as additional carriers entered service. A Unicorn-like conversion could make Ranger more valuable, but would require considerable effort. The answer then identifies an operational difference: the United States tended to develop captured islands as forward aviation bases. That reduced the attraction of a specialised support carrier following the fleet.